tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138067676455417641.post331395828200232666..comments2024-01-30T01:39:56.217-06:00Comments on The Spirit of Institutions: Engaging with Institutions as Living EntitiesMichael Bischoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13196064668170667389noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138067676455417641.post-66703713287440923222010-08-09T16:02:11.066-05:002010-08-09T16:02:11.066-05:00Thanks for your comment, Forrest. I do think there...Thanks for your comment, Forrest. I do think there are dangers in thinking of institutions as living entities, like people. For instance, I don't agree with giving corporations the same rights that individuals have in terms of contributions to political campaigns. <br /><br />On the other hand, I think the 2nd paragraph of your comment illustrates one of the ways institutions can act like a living entity--developing and expressing a dominant world-view, which can be strongly influence those it encounters. <br /><br />I have read and appreciated George Lakoff. I've also recently gotten to know some other authors and their analysis about framing political debate and action. I think they are even more insightful and practical than Lakoff's book on framing: http://www.grassrootspolicy.org/worldviewMichael Bischoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13196064668170667389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138067676455417641.post-27357107323970521122010-08-09T10:05:52.820-05:002010-08-09T10:05:52.820-05:00Institutions are not "living" entities; ...Institutions are not "living" entities; they may exemplify & manifest their individual 'spirit' (much like a fictional character) but there's no person 'inside', no 'soul' in there to transform that spirit.<br /><br />The typical result of people trying to reform an organization "from inside" is that they become captive to the world-view of that organization.<br /><br />No harm in examining and learning to see through an alien world-view, but when you express yourself in its terms, you reinforce that way of seeing things in your listeners. (Read a little George Lakoff re how badly this works out in political debate...)forresthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13861950371962268402noreply@blogger.com